IMPACT
NEWARK MOONLIGHT CINEMA
Newark Moonlight Cinema opened its doors on July 24, 2020 to a staggering 670 attendees. NJ's first-black owned drive-in movie theater immediately went viral. Ayana and Siree Morris, the founders, were heralded as heroes of the pandemic. The couple opened the drive-in to provide socially distant fun and to honor black art at the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the first season the theater saw over 30,000 visitors and created 35 jobs for college students and former movie theater employees. Originally envisioned as a pop-up business, Newark Moonlight Cinema is becoming a mainstay in the city. MCI Collective was the lead sponsor for this endeavor.
DASHERS LIGHT SHOW
In 2021 Newark Moonlight Cinema expanded its operations to include an interactive Christmas drive thru light show called Dashers Light Show Newark. Over 45,000 people attended this during the November and December months which created an infectious holiday spirit for the local community.
The show offered toys, pictures with Santa Clause, Hot Chocolate treats, etc for families. MCI Collective was the lead sponsor for this annual event.
DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR
Don’t Touch My Hair celebrates Black women and hair culture created and curated by Ayana Morris. It's a space where she hopes guests find their voice and make peace with who they are. Don’t Touch My Hair” is a culturally conscious immersive experience. Visitors are immersed into the black woman’s experience and the intimate connection with hair.
Visitors will walk through a modified shipping container with an archway of hands sporadically reaching for them and committing the societal faux pas of touching a black woman’s hair. This experience premiered in Newark, NJ for a 3 day festival called Culture Parlor. The event then premiered in Miami Art Basel 2024 and is gearing for a 2025-2026 tour. MCI Collective as the lead sponsor for this endeavor.